For years, Harry Potter fans have used social media to dream up their ideal cast for a Marauders-era story, and one name consistently appears: Andrew Garfield as a young Remus Lupin. After countless fan edits, TikTok videos, and online discussions, the actor himself has finally responded to the popular fan casting, sharing his thoughts in a recent interview.
The Actor’s Reaction
In a GQ interview where he reacted to online content about himself, Andrew Garfield was shown a fan comment that simply read, “REMUS LUPIN???” His immediate reaction was to laugh and acknowledge the long-running internet rumor. He stated, “I’m very late to the game.” He also revealed a timely coincidence, telling viewers that he had only just finished watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the very film in which the character of Remus Lupin first appears.
This was not the first time Garfield has been asked about the role. In a previous BBC interview, when questioned about the fan theories linking him to Lupin, he gave a cryptic but open-minded response. He said, “I will consider any role offered, how’s that?” While this is far from a confirmation, it leaves the door open for future possibilities.
Why Fans Champion the Casting
The fan movement to see Andrew Garfield as Remus Lupin is not new. For a long time, platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest have been filled with creative edits. Fans take clips from Garfield’s films, especially The Amazing Spider-Man, and re-imagine them as scenes of a younger Lupin during his time as a Marauder at Hogwarts.
Supporters of the casting point to Garfield’s ability to portray characters who are both gentle and burdened, a key trait of Remus Lupin. Lupin is a brilliant and kind-hearted wizard who carries the tragedy of being a werewolf. Fans believe Garfield’s expressive eyes and skill at showing vulnerability would make him a perfect fit for the complex role.
The Age Factor and a New Solution
With HBO developing a new Harry Potter television series, the conversation around casting has been renewed. However, many fans have pointed out a logical flaw in the original fan-casting idea. While Garfield was once seen as a perfect choice for a young Lupin, the actor is now 42 years old. In the books, a young Lupin attending school with the other Marauders would be a teenager.
This has led to a new and popular consensus among fans. Commenters on social media have suggested that while Garfield may be too old to play a teen Lupin, he is now the ideal age to play the adult Professor Lupin exactly as he appears in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In fact, when David Thewlis originally played the role in the 2004 film, he was also 41 years old. As one fan noted, “He could play teacher lupin, ARE WE FORGETTING HE’S GROWN??😭” Another added, “He’s literally the exact age David Thewlis was in Azkaban.”
The Future of the Role
The upcoming HBO series is planned to adapt each of the seven books, with one season per book. This means the character of Remus Lupin would not make his appearance until the show’s third season. While no official casting decisions have been announced, the ongoing fan campaign shows the deep connection audiences feel to these characters and their enthusiasm for seeing them brought to life once more.
Andrew Garfield’s reaction confirms that he is now aware of the fan desires, even if he is “late to the game.” Whether he ever dons the professor’s robes in the new series remains to be seen, but his place in the fandom’s imagination is already secure.
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